In vitro modelling of Streptococcus intermedius biofilm on titanium dental implants

Streptococcus intermedius is part of healthy oral flora; it is an opportunist pathogen in endogenous/systemic infections. This strain exhibits a tropism toward different typical biofilm diseases, e.g. periodontititis and peri-implantis. The aim of this study was to determine the biofilm colonization kinetics produced in vitro on titanium dental implants. Biofilm formation was evaluated by a PCR real-time protocol in order to determine the number of S. intermedius cells on the titanium implant surface. The in vitro model showed a striking fast progression of biofilm formation. Coating of salivary proteins on the implant surface peaked after 4 hours. The highest concentration of bacteria on the implant surface was at its highest after 4 hours as well. This indicates that the biofilm reached maturation within 5 hours.